Method of preparing heel templets for heel turning machines



INVENTOR AT ORNEY July 6, 1943.

D. J. CALDERAZZO METHOD OF PREPARING HEEL TEMPLETS FOR HEEL TURNING MACHINES Filed April 24, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 y D. J. CALDERAZZO 2,323,453 METHOD OF PREPARING HEEL TEMPLETS FOR HEEIJ TURNING MACHINES Filed April 24, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 l N V E N TO R DOM/Mm d, CALUfRHZZO A TT NEY METHOD OF PREPARING HEEL TEMPLETS FOR HEEL TURNING MACHINES Filed April 24, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 g INVENTOR DOM/NIc/r J CQLDEAAZZO I July 6, 1943. D. J. CALDERAZZO 2,323,453

METHOD OF PREPARING HEEL TEMPLETS FOR HEEL TURNING MACHINES Filed April 24, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Dow/war J. Capt/Z4220 Arrozusv Patented July 6, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METHOD OF PREPARING HEEL TEMPLETS FOR HEEL TURNING MACHINES Dominick J. Calderazzo, Dolgeville, N. Y.

Application April 24, 1941, Serial No. 390,068

4 Claims. (01. 12l46) This invention relates to a method of preparing heel templets for heel turning machines.

Heretofore the shape imparted to the sides of a wood heel in a double spindle turning machine was empirically determined. The practice in this connection was to receive a set of paper patterns having symmetric rear portions, said patterns representing in half-size steps a series of soles for shoes of a particular style (hereinafter called a style series) for which heels were to be fabricated, there being furnished at the same time specifications of the desired elevational contours of the heels. With this data a skilled worker, known as a set-up man, individually prepared, by an experimental method involving the use of a turning machine, each one of a series of templets from which heels corresponding to the sole pattern were made. Due to the many adjustments and corrections required to be made during the formation of these templets, a set-up man was needed for every three or four turning machines and one or another of these machines was continually idle since either a new templet was always being made or an old one being reset for a new order. I

Moreover, the various sizes of wood heels made by the method above outlined have not been uniform and the heel seats of the individual wood heels thus produced were not symmetrical. This latter defect, which was, inherent in the use of individual hand-made templets and which was present in shoes of all prices, caused uneven seating of the foot heel in th heel seat and resulted in uneven tread wear.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a new method for forming the templets employed in turning wood heels to the end that more accurately formed heel may be fabricated, fewer and less skilled set-up men may be employed, and the non-productive set-up period of the turning machines reduced.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplifled in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the claims. I

In the accompanying drawings, in which are shown various possible embodiments of this invention,

Fig. 1 is a top plan View of a double spindle turning machine employed in carrying out my invention, and

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view thereof;

' Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the lines 33 of Fig. 2 and is explanatory of the means employed to detachably secure the heel templet in position;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line ll4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a schematic skeleton view of the machine shown in Figs. '1 and 2, and is illustrative of the practice involved in this art prior to my invention;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 illustrating the method employed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. '7 is a perspective view of a rough wood heel block;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a finished wood heel block with a superposed paper sole pattern;

Fig. 9 is a paper pattern of an asymmetrical heel templet and is illustrative of one of the steps of my novel method;

Fig. 10 is a view of said paper pattern in folded condition and is illustrative of a further step in my method;

Fig. 11 is a plan view of a plurality of superposed paper patterns for heel templets of various sizes of a single style series;

Fig. 12 is a plan view of a paper pattern for a heel templet of a symmetrical heel with asymmetric portions; and

Fig. 13 is a plan View of a heel templet made in accordance with my invention.

My invention will be explained with reference to a double spindle wood heel turning machine illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. Except for the novel features hereinafter pointed out, said machine is of more or less standard well known construction, and comprises a main frame 22 which'has rotatably mounted thereon in journals 24 a pair of spindles 25 and 28. Suitable means (not shown) are provided to simultaneously drive both of said spindles in opposite directions. Adjacent the upper ends of each of said spindles is fixedly mounted a plate which is eccentrically grooved to receive and hold therein a pair of square cutting blades 32 and 34. In accordance with standard practice the grooves in the plate 30 are vertically inclined with respect to the axi of the spindles 26 and 28 so that the cutting edges of the blade 32 and 34' are inclined, as shown in Fig. 2. To firmly hold the cutting blades in position there'is provided another collar 36 grooved similarly to the collar 36 and disposed on the spindles 25' and 28 above the cutting blades, the upper end of the spindles being screw threaded to receive a bolt 38 whereby the blades are clamped between the collars and 36.

A swinging jack 40 is pivotally mounted at one end of a crane 42, the other end of which is pivotally mounted on a shaft 44 held in journals 46 to the machine frame 22. The jack can thus rotate both about its own center at the free end of the crane 42 and about the shaft 44. The jack comprises an L-shaped frame 48 including a vertical jack top 50 and horizontal jack base 52. From one end of the said base 52 depends a circular jack post 54 which is rotatably received in a bearing 55 cast on the free end of the crane 42. To the lower portion of the jack post is fixedly attached a rider 56 which slides on the top surface of a fiat track 53 supported on legs 59 projecting from the main frame 22.

The single flat track 58 and straight-edged cutting blades 32 and 34, above described, are

employed in carrying out my process for the face, as for example the tread, of a rough wood heel block B is supported. To aid in positioning the block B a back stop 66 may be pivotally mounted on the jack top 50. The block B, prior to cutting, is clamped in proper position on the jack 40 between a dog 68 and the step 64 by means of an adjustable linkage system between a jack handle I0 and a dog holder I2 which is pivotally mounted on the jack top 50. Said linkage system comprises the following elements:

The base of the handle I0 is pivotally mounted on a rearwardly projecting extension I4 of the base 52. Said handle is also provided with another pivot point I6 on which one end of a turnbuckle link I8 is rotatably mounted, the other end of said link being pivotally mounted at 80 to a rocking arm 82. The upper end of the turnbuckle link I8, which is connected to the arm 82, is so constructed as to allow a slight axial shifting of the said link I8, and a spring 84 (not present in a standard machine of this character) which encircles the link 18 is maintained under compression between the arm 82 and a nut 86 on the turn-buckle link I8 so as to normally maintain the rear end of the arm 82 in its extreme upper position with respect to the link I8. arm 82, which is fulcrumed at 88 to the jack post 50, is provided with a tapped bore at its forward end in which is received a threaded shaft 90. The upper end of said shaft has an adjusting handle 92, and the lower end of said shaft abuts against a hardened plate 94 adjustably mounted on the upper end of a rod 96 which is slidably mounted in an angularly projecting extension 98 on the jack top 50. The bottom of said rod 96 is pointed and bears against the top surface of the pivotally mounted dog holder I2. A spring I00, having one end attached to the extension 98 and the other end to the dog holder I2, maintains the upper surface of the said dog holder in abutment with the lower pointed end of the rod 96.

It will be seen that when the handle is rotated in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed from Fig. 2), the dog holder 12 will be elevated to release the block B from its clamped position between the dog 68 and step 64. As said handle 10 The is returned towards the position shown in Fig. 2 during another clamping step, the utmost downward position of the dog 68 will be reached when the pivotal mounting of the handle I0 on the extension I4 and the pivot point I6 are in line with the turn-buckle link I8. The handle is then allowed to rotate somewhat past this dead center position before being stopped by a suitable abutting member. The spring 84 takes up the slight retraction of the linkage system caused by rotation of the handle past dead center, thus locking the handle 10 in this position. Said spring also serves to absorb any shock imparted to the linkage system and such as may be caused, for example, by a sudden movement of the block when a cutter blade strikes a hard spot or digs into the block which has a tendency to urge the block B upward relative to the track support 58 for the jack assembly.

As is well known in the art, the shape imparted to a turned wood heel is controlled by a pair of cooperating members on the machine frame and jack, having a sliding and rolling engagement. The first of these members, one of which is associated with each pair of cutting blades 32 and 34, is a rub collar I02 whose guiding surface is in the shape of an arc of a perfect circle. The rear portion of the collar I02 is integrally joined to a slotted support I04 which is movable forwardly and rearwardly of the mainframe 22 by means of an adjusting screw I06 and knob I08, the support being fixed in any adjusted position by a clamp screw IIO disposed within the slot in the support I04.

The other member of the sliding and rolling pair comprises a templet II2 (see also Fig. 13) which is usually made of a material such as ply wood which is unaffected by changes in temperature or humidity. Said templet has an elongated cut out slot II 4 extending from the base thereof and which is adapted to be snugly received on a thinned wall portion I I6 of the base 52 (Figs. 2 and 3). The upper and lower surfaces of the templet I I2 are also snugly received in the lateral recesses formed by providing the thinned wall portion II6, thus forming a non-teetering joint between the templet H2 and the jack 40.

Suitable'means is also provided to prevent lateral shifting of the templet relative to the jack. In present day wood heel turning machines this means usually comprises a pair of bolts snugly fitted through a pair of apertures in the templet I I 2 and threadably received in the under surface of the base 52. However, since, as will hereinafter appear, I contemplate the ready removal of a templet corresponding to a given size of a style series and the substitution therefor of another templet corresponding to a different size in the same style series or a different style series. I have provided highly simplified means which will facilitate this ready detachment and attachment of templets. Such means may comprise a through aperture I I8 in the templet I I2 disposed longitudinally and centrally of said templet and thinned Wall portion H6. A sliding bolt I20 mounted on the jack 40 is adapted to be snugly received in the said aperture Ii 8. In order to reciprocate said bolt in and out of said aperture. I may support the bolt I20 on the end of a shaft I22 which is slidably journalled in a cap I24 screwed to the underside of the jack base 52. Said cap may be provided with a central recess I26 surrounding the shaft I22 and a spring I28 disposed in said recess and encircling said shaft I22, said spring being held under compression between the base of the recess I26 and the bottom of the bolt I20. A knurled manipulating handle I 30 is attached to the end of the shaft I22 which extends exteriorly of the cap I24.

In Fig. 7 I have shown a typical rough wood heel block B prior to turning. These blocks are furnishedin different heights and sizes depending upon the desired elevational and plan contours of the finished wood heels, so that wood waste may be held to a minimum.

It will be noted that the shank I32 and front I34 of the rough block have been finished on their upper surface prior to shaping of the heel sides I36 but that the heel seat I40 has not yet been roughed to shape, as this latter operation can only be performed with respect to the plan profile of a turnedheel.

In the use of the machine 29, a wood heel manufacturer is furnished with a plurality of heavy paper sole patterns I42 (Fig. 8) of a desired style series, said patterns representing in half-size steps the contours of the finished sales with which the heels are to be used. The manufacturers task is to fabricate turned wood heels whose heel seats, shanks and fronts identically match the rear portions of the sole patterns.

In accordance with the practice heretofore employed, in order to make a plurality of such heels for each sole pattern, the pattern was turned over to a set-up man, who, after examining the same, picked out or made a templet II2 which by experience he knew had a contour approximating the profile of a templet which when inserted in the machine 20 and used with the rub collars I532 would produce a heel of the required size and shape. This selected templet was then rigidly mounted on the base 52 of the jack 40, a rough block B clamped between the dog 68 and step 64, the power turned on, and an experimental heel cut. The paper pattern M2 was then superimposed upon the turned experimental wood heel I ie, as shown in Fig. 8, and any nonconformance between the rear portion of said pattern and the top surface of said heel noted. If the heel was larger than the sole pattern. portions of the templet corresponding to the enlarged portions of the heel were filed or ground away. If any part of the wood heel was smaller than the pattern, either a new templet which was larger than the first templet was inserted or the rub collar 592 corresponding to that side was shifted forwardly. Also, if one side of the turned heel was much larger than the sole pattern, the associated rub collar could be shifted backwardly. Both adjustments of the collars were effected by loosening the clamping screw III) and turning the adjusting knob I03.

After the set-up man performed what he considered to be satisfactory alterations in contour of the templet H2 and positions of rule collars I02, he out another experimental wood heel and again matched it up to the rear portion of the paper sole pattern I42. This second wood heel would, of course, be somewhat closer to the desired shape than the first experimental heel but would still be far from perfect, and so the set-up ma'n proceeded to file down portions of the templet and adjusted the collars until he obtained a more or less satisfactory coincidence between the said rear portion of the pattern and the top surface of a turned wood heel.

If the rear portion of the pattern I52 was initially symmetrical, as is the case with most shoe soles, the wood heel finally obtained by the set-up man would approximate this symmetry. However, examination of wood heels finally turned out shows that the fabrication of;

ished, for the set-up man, as soon as a required.

number of turned heels corresponding to the sole pattern on which he had first worked had been fabricated, then removed said templet 2-, so laboriously formed, and proceeded to obtain another templet corresponding to a different size paper sole pattern of the same style series. This was repeated until the entire order had been filled; whereupon the templets could be filed away in the event that the order was repeated;

It will be appreciated that if the order was repeated the templets could not simply be set into the machines by an unskilled laborer since they required independent adjustments of each of the rub collars I82 until these collars were set in the same position as they were when the templet was originally cut, the positions of the collars being different for each templet. Indeed in some instances, due to the large change in size and contour of the finished wood heel resulting from what appeared to be relatively small changes in the position of the rub collars, the temp-lets H2 had to be recut or new templets made before a set of wood heels previously furnished a customer could be duplicated for him.

It should be further noted that in reality it was impossible to exactly duplicate a series of wood heels after one such series has been made, as it was not possible to reset the rub collars in exactly the same position they occupied when the templets were first cut. For that reason sets of wood heels made at different times by previous practice did in fact differ slightly with resulting complaints by the purchaser who did not get" exactly the same shoe when she reordered.

In Fig, 5 I have shown a skeleton schematic arrangement of the various machine and heel parts during the course of a tuning operation practiced in accordance with previous methods. The various numerals applied to this figure correspond to the numerals applied to the machine 2il. Thus the circle 3234 represents thecutting path of the blades 32 and 34 at a given moment, it being assumed during the description of this figure that this cutting path remains constant, although it is well known that the cutting circle which works on the top edge of a heel block B grows larger as lower elevations of the block are reached. The spindle points 26 and 28 represent the centers of the said cutting circles 32-34, while the points C and C rep-resent the centers of the guiding surfaces of the rub collars schematically indicated by the arcs E92 and I02 In order to determine the relative positioning of these latter centers I have also shown the center C transferred to the left hand side of the machine, it being there denoted by the character C'.

The wood block B, templet H2 and turned heel I44 have been shown in four cutting positions: two on the right hand side of the machine and two on the left hand side of the machine, these various elements being indicated in corresponding positions by the superscripts l, 2, 3 and 4.

The center line of the crane 42 is denoted by the dot-dash line 42, while its center of rotation about the machine bed is represented by the shaft point 44. The are A denotes the path travelled by the free end of the crane 42, the points 54 denoting various positions of the jack post corresponding to the cutting positions illustrated. The two positions indicated by the superscripts 2 and 4 show the templet I I2, block B and turned heel I44 at the terminal position of said block B with respect to the cutting circle 32-34 for right and left hand cutting operations respectively. The point of contact between the rub collar I02 and templet I I2 in these two positions represents the point of demarcation D between the two sides of the templet H2. The working axis of the templet is then marked by the line joining the point 54 and the said point of demarcation D.

It will be observed that the templet H2 is not symmetric about this axis but that nevertheless it will cut a wood heel which is substantially symmetric with respect to an axis other than the axis of the templet, the difference between the two axes and shapes being taken up by the different positions of the centers C and C with respect to the points 26 and 23. The difference in the angular disposition of these axes is particularly noticeable in terminal cutting positions of the block B, as for example positions 2 and 4.

Due to several causes including the asymmetric profile of the templet, the asymmetric positions of the rub collar centers C and C and the angular relationship between the longitudinal axes of the templet and finished wood heel, it has been impossible to grade these templets; that is, it has been impossible when furnished with one templet to vary the size of the templet in accordance with a predetermined set of ratios to obtain a templet which would produce a different size of symmetric turned heel in the same style series.

In accordance with my invention I prepare sets of templets whose portions corresponding to the .symmetric portions of the rear of the sole paper patterns I42 are also symmetric, and I so set the rub collars I02 on the machine that no adjustment thereof need thereafter be made. Such a symmetric templet may be made in the following manner:

An asymmetric templet of a given size heel in a style series, as for example size #8, which was obtained by experimental methods as above outlined, is superimposed upon a sheet of heavy flexible paper, such as manila paper, and a pattern I46 (Fig. 9) corresponding to the templet cut out from the paper. In Fig. 9 the line I48 represents the approximate working axis of this pattern. I then proceed by experiment to find a fold line I50 which most closely approximates the true symmetrical axis of the form I46. This maybe determined by doubling over the form I46 and finding the line I50 which will cause the closest coincidence of the right and left hand edges of the pattern. The pattern is then folded along such line to the position indicated in Fig. 10.

At this time it will be noted that the two superimposed edges will not exactly match, this being due to the deviation of the pattern caused by the empiric process of preparing the templet. By suitable markings the difference between the two edges are now denoted on the oversized edges of the pattern and this difference split in half.

Next, a new pattern is made by employing the pattern I48, corrected as above described, and by means of a band saw a templet H2 is out corresponding in contour to the modified pattern. This templet is suitably slotted, provided with an aperture H8, and inserted in the machine 20. The adjusting knobs I08 are then manipulated to position the rub collars I02 in exact symmetry with respect to the machine; that is, with both rub collars I02 extending an identical distance forwardly from the machine and laterally of the spindles 26 and 28. This positioning may be accomplished by measurement or by independently moving the collars back and forth until a symmetric turned heel is obtained from the corrected pattern. I then further adjust the collars simultaneously until a turned wood heel substantially of the proper shape and size is obtained. Further adjustments may be made to both collars or both sides of the templet until the wood heel obtained is of exactly the desired contour.

I may now in any suitable manner permanently position the rub collars I02 with respect to each other and the frame 22. This may be accomplished by drilling a hole through the adjustable supports I04 and machine bed 22, and running a bolt I52 through said hole.

Next, with the rub collars permanently positioned, I proceed to empirically obtain another templet for a diiferent size wood heel, for example size #1, of the same style series. This templet is transferred to manila paper and. the two edges of the resulting pattern compared to make sure they are symmetric, any necessary corrections being made to obtain such symmetry. From the two final templets I then prepare two paper patterns; by measurement of these patterns obtain a series of grading ratios for various points along the side edges of the patterns, as is well known in the art; and with these ratios proceed by hand or machine, in accordance with any accepted grading practice, to lay out patterns corresponding to templets for all the intermediate sizes between I and 8, and any required sizes lying without this range.

One simple method for grading these patterns is to locate the position of the points '54 (center of rotation of the templet) thereon and to super.- impose the two patterns, as for example for sizes 1 and 8, with the points 54 in registration, as shown in Fig. 11. Lines I52 may then be drawn from the point 54 through points on the side edges of the templet where the radius of curvature seems to suddenly and pronouncedly change. The distance between the two points along each line I52 may then be split up into the desired number of intermediate points and the intermediate patterns traced out through these latter points, the templets later being cut from these patterns.

It will be found that with this latter method the most accurate results will be obtained when the centers C and C are positioned substantially coincidentally with the centers 26, 28 of the cutting circles 32-34 or so arranged with respect thereto that the cutting portion of the cutting circles 3234 and guiding portions of the rub collars I02 I02 are substantially concentric.

It will be found that a set of templets for a style series which is thus prepared and used in the machine 20 to fabricate turned wood heels will produce heels which are absolutely symmetrical and which substantially coincide with the edges of the rear portion of the sole patterns I42, and that there will be no need to make alterations to the shape of the side edges of the templets so prepared.

In Fig. 6 I have shown in a manner similar to the illustration in Fig. 5 various position of the several elements involved in cutting a wood heel in accordance with my invention, the numerals in this figure being the same as those applied to the several parts of Fig. 5.

It will be noted that the two center C and C of the rub collars "32 and I02 are absolutely symmetric with respect to the machine 28 and particularly with respect to the centers 26 and 28 of the cutting circles 3234 in both front-torear and lateral directions. It should also be noted that the symmetric axis of the templet H 2 substantially coincides with the symmetric axis of the turned wood heel 144.

Also, I have found that it is not in all instances necessary to prepare two templets in each style series since a set-up man experienced in my method of preparing a set of templets will, upon examining the style series of sole patterns furnished, be able to recognize upon inspection the proper ratios to be used in grading the profiles of the templets belonging to this style series, and it will thus only be necessary in such case to make a single templet which may thereafter be hand graded by eye by the set-up man.

I have found that a set-up man skilled in practising my invention is able to handle the settingup of approximately twenty wood heel double spindle turning machines. In addition to obtaining symmetric and accurate heel shapes I have also been able to greatly reduce the number of man and machine hours employed for set ting up the machines.

It should further be apparent that if duplication of any order is required, a turning machine operator (who is a relatively unskilled laborer) need merely remove the templet which happens to be in the machine and insert the desired templet which is then automatically in proper position for duplicating the old order.

I also desire to point out that by having but a single sliding part to hold the templet against lateral shifting and by otherwise preventing teetering, I have rendered it extremely simple to remove a templet and to accurately position another templet in its place.

If it is desired to apply my invention in the turning of wood heels having asymmetric portions, in general the same procedure as that above outlined may be employed, it being simply necessary in that case to start on a machine which has already had its collars permanently symmetrically arranged. A templet of this nature is illustrated in Fig. 12 wherein the decorative projection 160 represents an asymmetric portion and the dotted lines H52 represent the corresponding symmetric portion of the templet before the projection Hill was added. This projection may be graded along with the remaining portions of the templet. The ratios at which it is reduced and enlarged are unimportant as no portion of the finished sole cooperates with this projection, it being unsual for the sole in such a shoe to lie along the portion of the heel corresponding to the dotted lines I62 on the said templet.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a method of preparing heel templets for heel turning machines in which the several objects of this invention are achieved, and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made or" the above invention, and as various change-s might be made in the embodiments above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a method of preparing a series of heel templets of a given style series for use in a double spindle wood heel turning machine having a pair of segmentally circular rub collars which are permanently and rigidly symmetrically disposed with respect to said spindles; that improvement which comprises the steps of empirically preparing templets corresponding to two specific sizes of sole patterns in said specific style series without altering the disposition of said rub collars, and preparing other templets of the same style series by grading for use in said machine without altering said disposition of said rub collars.

2. In a method of preparing a series of heel templets of a given style series for use in a double spindle wood heel turning machine having a pair of segmentally circular rub collars which are permanently and rigidly symmetrically disposed with respect to said spindles; that improvement which comprises the steps of empirically preparing symmetrical templets corresponding to two specific sizes of sole patterns in said specific style series without altering the disposition of said rub collars, and preparing other symmetrical templets of the same style series by grading for use in said machine without altering said disposition of said rub collars.

3. A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein the step of empirically preparing each symmettrical templet corresponding to one of two specific sizes of sole patterns in the specific style series comprises empirically preparing a rigid templet for the size of sole pattern without altering the disposition of the rub collars, transferring the contour of the rigid templet to a flexible sheet of material, cutting said flexible sheet along said transferred contour to form a flexible pattern, determining the approximate axis of symmetry of said pattern, adjusting differences in symmetry between edges of said pattern on opposite sides of said axis, transferring the contour of said adjusted pattern to a layer of rigid material and cutting said layer along said transferred contour to form a symmetrical templet.

4. In a method of preparing a series of heel templets of a given style series for use in a double spindle wood heel turning machine having a pair of segmentally circular collars which are permanently and rigidly symmetrically disposed with respect to said spindles; that improvement which comprises the step of preparing a plurality of symmetrical heel templets each corresponding to a diiferent specific size of sole pattern in said specific style series for separate use in said machine without altering said disposition of said rub collars.

DOMINICK J. CALDERAZZO. 

